Jackson Stone’s journey throughout the movie “Jackson’s Run” is mined with potentially rich subject matter. A teen bent on self-destructing at the movie’s beginning, he is doing all the wrong things with all the wrong people and shutting out his mother and younger brother in the process. But Jackson is more than a “typical” delinquent: His own behavior at the age of 13 led to a near-death overdose and left him with HIV. As “Jackson’s Run” opens, the virus inside of him, like the outer, negative influences in his life, are catching fire and threaten to burn out of control. Others in his world are experiencing their own life crises, too, and as they and Jackson try to find sense, strength, meaning and faith, the “Run” twists and turns and travels a difficult road.

Such a story, about a teenager infected with HIV, is a powerful one by itself. There is all too little said in the news and other media about the young lives who have been derailed by HIV and AIDS, and this movie does highlight the importance of compassion and care for this little-understood population. It also shines a faith-based light on this (and other) issues facing teens and adults alike, encouraging conversation, self-examination and journaling, and standing up to evil in many earthly forms.

But “Jackson’s Run” has other thematic story-lines, too, that involve Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, alcoholism, drug abuse, bullying, and, suicide. It’s a heavy line-up, and one that, unfortunately, does not have nearly enough time to fully realize itself. Although truly and well-acted, especially in moments where the dialogue stops and the characters are allowed to breathe, 85 minutes just isn’t enough for this story…which is why it is a perfect subject for this blog’s “Food for Thought” column.

On the surface, “Jackson’s Run” can be seen as a superficial treatment of extremely complex and difficult problems. But, one of the best elements of the film is how it showed that, for every wrong act committed, there are consequences – and we live with those consequences everyday. Christ’s sacrifice and our Salvation, then, become all the more precious. And all the more poignant, as our earthly lives continue to unfold. By loading the film with so many dark issues (and dark scenes – the lighting was an issue itself in a few spots, with disconcerting shadows and abrupt changes in film quality!), it made me very grateful for the light, the love of Christ, and the way that people can find a way back from blistering, winding, and awful runs of their own.

“Jackson’s Run” is not a perfect film. The dialogue could have been more intuitive, the storytelling more focused and, thus, made deeper, and the ending felt too-quickly and too-neatly tied up. But we, too, are not perfect, are we? And even so, as with the world of “Jackson’s Run,” we have much to learn and tell.

Maureen Pratt

Several years ago, Maureen Pratt earned her Master of Fine Arts in Theater Arts/Playwriting from UCLA's School of Theater, FIlm and Television. She expected to be writing scripts. God had other plans.

A few years after her graduation, Maureen was diagnosed with a life-threatening case of organ-involved lupus. Her life turned upside down as she grappled with the effects of the illness and other health conditions that ensued. She was no stranger to serious health challenges; even as a child, Maureen had survived numerous bouts of pneumonia, flu, and other infections. But lupus made her take a fresh look at her life goals - and took herlifelong, strong Catholic Christian faith and writing in a direction she'd never imagined.

Today, Maureen writes and speaks about walking with the Lord while living with chronic pain and illness. Her most recent book is "Don't Panic!: How to Keep Going When the Going Gets Tough (Franciscan Media). She is also the author of, "Peace in the Storm: Meditations on Chronic Pain & Illness" (Image Books/Randomhouse), "Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy" (Twenty-Third Publications), "The First Year: Hypothyroidism, Second Edition" (Perseus) and "Taking Charge of Lupus: How to Manage the Disease and Make the Most of Your LIfe." She writes the syndicated column, "Living Well," for Catholic News Service, and has also written for Saint Anthony Messenger Magazine, Journey for Women Magazine, The Upper Room Magazine, LupusNow, and Arthritis Today. Maureen's health continues to be a challenge, however she feels honored to be able to bring her perspective, from experience and knowledge, to others.

"Good Days...Bad Days with Maureen Pratt" is a new way for Maureen to reach people who carry the burden of illness and pain in their lives, or who care for someone who does. Through the blog, she hopes to bring issues of health, wellness, and spirit into focus and, especially, inspire others that, no matter what health challenges, illness, or hardships they endure, each person can find a good way to realize the wonderful potential God has placed within each heart and soul.